Arizona Veteran Benefits

Arizona offers 15 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 3 tax programs, 1 education program, 0 housing programs, 1 healthcare program, 3 recreation programs, and 1 employment program. 9 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 4 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.

Arizona offers 4 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Full Property Tax Exemption (100% Disabled), Vehicle License Tax & Registration Exemption (100% Disabled), Free Hunting & Fishing License (100% Disabled), and 1 more. These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled Arizona veterans also qualify for the 11 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 15 total.

Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 11 Arizona state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (9) plus benefits gated at 10-49% (1) plus 1 additional benefit gated at the 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% threshold. These typically include partial property tax credits, hunting/fishing license discounts, and tuition assistance. A 100% rating unlocks 4 additional benefits on top.

Yes. Arizona offers 3 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Pay State Income Tax Exemption: 100% of military retirement pay is exempt from Arizona state income tax. Estimated value: Full retirement pay exemption. Whether Arizona also exempts military retirement pay and VA disability compensation from state income tax varies by program — see the Tax Benefits section above for the full list.

Arizona offers 1 state education benefit: Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability). Some are tuition waivers at state public universities; others are scholarships for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service or were rated permanently and totally disabled. These supplement (and in many cases stack with) the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Arizona's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Arizona Veteran Specialty License Plates. Specialty license plates for veterans with various military branch and service recognition options (ARS 28-2414). Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — Arizona offers 3 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Reduced-Fee Hunting & Fishing License (Disabled Veterans); Free Hunting & Fishing License (100% Disabled), and 1 more. Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Arizona residency.

Each Arizona state benefit has its own application — there is no single application that covers them all. Most require: (1) DD-214 or equivalent discharge document, (2) proof of Arizona residency, and (3) VA disability rating letter if the benefit is rating-gated. Use the application URL listed on each benefit's detail page on this site. For complex cases (claims appeals, dependent benefits), contact your county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for free assistance.

Yes. Arizona state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Arizona veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Arizona state programs they qualify for. Some specific overlaps (e.g., state tuition assistance) may require exhausting federal GI Bill benefits first; check each benefit's eligibility notes.

Yes. State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries (Free Burial). No-cost burial including gravesite, opening/closing, concrete liner, marker, and perpetual care at state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and Arizona residency; some sites accept any veteran meeting federal VA national cemetery criteria. This is in addition to (not a substitute for) burial at a federal VA National Cemetery.

Arizona benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 9 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 1 are gated at 10-40%. 1 are gated at 50-90%. 4 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 15 Arizona state benefits.